Docker’s vote of confidence

With up to 10,000 people expected at the Fremantle Dockers v Western Bulldogs clash, the polling place at the neighbouring Billy Dower Youth Centre will also use a new computer system to speed up voting.

‘We’ll have a dozen staff on deck, with eight of those tasked just to help the thousands of voters we’re expecting from outside the Mandurah electoral district,’ the Commission’s WA elections manager David Payne said.

‘Extra Elector Recording System computers will also be deployed. Previously, it took up to a minute for polling staff to check off electors’ enrolment in a book.

‘Now, using the ERS digital system, that could come down to just 10 seconds.’

The WA-developed ERS attracted national attention when the prototype was trialled at a by-election two years ago. Now it is being used at a State general election for the first time.

Star Dockers forward and local hero Hayden Ballantyne ” who won a Sandover Medal playing for Peel Thunder ” has lent his support to the vote early campaign, urging all electors to make their voices heard at the polling place before cheering on the players at Saturday’s game,